California Motorcycle Lawyer – Tom Reinecke

Day: April 15, 2016

When Riding Motorcycles on the road there are a few concerns aside from the fact that you are riding with other vehicles on the highways. Worries such as breaking down in the middle of nowhere, getting a flat, trying to communicate with a riding partner or buddy and overall just navigating around. We have come up with a few products to help you with some of those worries.

Having a complete tool set at home is awesome but not convenient if you are stranded without a running motorcycle carrying it around in your saddlebag is a bit impractical. Instead, every rider should have a good pocket-sized multi-tool, and BikeMaster has created a good one: their Multi-Tool with Sockets has just about everything you might need for a quick roadside fix. It has 6 hex wrenches (sizes 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, and 6mm), a combo 8 – 10 – 15mm open end wrench, three sockets (8, 10 and 15mm) and a socket driver. Not bad for something that can fit right in your pocket!

Every rider worst nightmare is getting a flat in the middle of nowhere. With this tire repair kit you’ll be prepared for time of getting a flat. Along with a complete array of tire and tube repair accessories (a complete patch kit as well as the necessary hand tools for the job), it comes with 4 small CO2 canisters to re-inflate a flat. And it can be used for tubed and tubeless tires.

Using hand signals to communicate is rather dangerous and difficult to do, however, the water-resistant, touring-friendly Sena SMH-10 is a great accessory for your group rides that provide crystal clear sound. The set offers a good range of features, with ample intercom range (up to 900 m) to chat with other riders as well as your passenger. Voice prompts allow for completely hands-free control. And you can pair it with your phone to listen to music, phone calls and voice-aided navigation.

If you use your bike to commute to work or school, wearing a backpack can be a drag – literally. Standard nylon or canvas backpacks can flap around in the wind, which can make for an unpleasant ride. The Ogio No Drag Mach 3 backpack has a hard, aerodynamic shell that allows for excellent air flow, and provides additional protection for the stuff inside. At 1125 cu. in, it offers plenty of storage space, and sports protective compartments for laptops up to 15″, iPads/tablets, and smartphones. The hip belt’s buckle is off-center, which keeps it from scratching your gas tank.

5. Skully AR-1 Helmet

The Skully AR-1 isn’t your ordinary brain bucket. According to Skully CEO Marcus Weller, speaking at a press conference in San Francisco earlier this year, it’s “the most complex consumer device on the planet”. The Skully boasts a rear-facing 180 degree camera integrated with an in-visor HUD (Heads-Up Display); the camera projects what’s going on behind you onto the bottom right portion of the visor. Regardless of where you turn your head, you’ll be able to see what’s happening “on your six”, as pilots might say. In addition, the HUD will give you basic info about the bike (speed, RPMs) and Skully is working on a turn-by-turn navigation system as well.

There have been delays – the helmet is now slated for release in the fall – but according to Weller, those delays were to ensure that the helmet meets both DOT and ECE standards. (The helmet will now feature a carbon fiber inlay for additional rider protection.) Right now the Skully AR-1 can be pre-ordered on the Skully website, as manufacturing has not yet begun; the cost is $1500, and there’s no word as to plans for distribution to other retailers.

All of these accessories are great and amazing with their potential capabilities but they won’t always prevent you from being involved in an accident or crash. For those that are involved in a motorcycle crash please call The Reinecke Law Firm at 1(800)275-8326.